CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN JIM BAIRD

I am a lifelong resident of the Fourth U.S. Congressional District, a Vietnam Veteran, a farmer, and small business owner for more than three decades. I have served in numerous capacities with several civic and community organizations.

MILITARY SERVICE

ROTC, Purdue University — 1963-1965

OCS 2-70, Ft. Benning, GA — 1969-1970

Vietnam War — 1970-1971
1st Lieutenant U.S. Army

Awards: Bronze Star with V device, Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster , Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Army Commendation Medal with V Device, National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for valorous combat achievement, Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, Expert Rifleman, and Expert in Jungle Warfare.
Unit: 523rd Transportation Company, first unit from Vietnam to be placed in the Army Transportation Corps Hall of Fame at Ft. Eustis, Virginia as a result of valor displayed during Operation Lam Son 719.

EXPERIENCE

State Representative for District 44, Indiana House of Representatives; Indianapolis, IN — 2010-Present
Representing Putnam County and portions of Clay, Morgan, Owen, and Parke Counties. Member of the Ways and Means, Chairman of the Health and Medicaid Subcommittee, Agriculture and Rural Development, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety and Environmental Affairs Committees and the Statutory Committee on Ethics.County Commissioner, Putnam County; Greencastle, IN — 2006-2010

Owner, Baird Family Farms; Greencastle, IN — 1980-Present

Owner, Indiana Home Care Plus; Greencastle, IN — 1984-Present

Swine Program Director of the Feed Division, Landmark Cooperative

Director of Sales and Nutrition, Agmax; Frankfort, IN — 1987-1992

Agriculture and Community Development Agent, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service; Greencastle, IN, — 1975-1988
Livestock specialist for Parke, Putnam, and Vermillion counties. Employment provided first hand experience with the benefits of applying scientific knowledge to improving and/or solving problems associated with human existence and food production. Also had community development responsibilities.

EDUCATION

Purdue University — Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, 1967
Afforded the opportunity to learn about numerous agricultural, social, economic, and practical principles in preparation for a professional business career as well as improving the quality of life for people. Worked at a brickyard during summers to pay for college.

Purdue University — Master of Science in Animal Science, 1969
Research focused on evaluation of three swine gestation management systems and the impact of each system on animal performance and productivity. The study also included the use of artificial insemination and the development of techniques that were compatible with various production systems

University of Kentucky — PhD in Animal Science Monogastric Nutrition, 1975
Research involved nutrition for early weaned pigs, 18-21 days of age. Early weaning allowed females to return to gestation sooner thus increasing pigs per sow per year. We searched for the appropriate level of dried whey to incorporate in the diets of these pigs. Statistical analysis indicated 15% of the diet provided the best results.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

❖ Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals – President
❖ Mental Health Provider – President of the Board of Directors
❖ MPO – West Central Indiana Economic Development District
❖ Greencastle Rotary Club – President
❖ Other non-profit organizations too numerous to mention